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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Private school Parties

181 replies

7plusMum34 · 18/02/2022 21:41

Those of you who have kids in private schools please tell me the kind of parties you have been to. I’m really nervous as I will have to hold a party very early on as child starting private in September and her birthday is 2 weeks in! I have nothing to compare with as we’ve not done a party for her before and haven’t been to any either I think due to COVID mainly.

I want to have a party btw do I don’t feel in any way pressured but I don’t know what the norm is. Don’t want to go OTT and don’t want it looking embarrassing either. Please help!

OP posts:
PugInTheHouse · 18/02/2022 21:45

Same as parties in state schools IME

User112 · 18/02/2022 21:48

Hmm private school parties! 😱

Book the whole class to a trip to Disney land Paris on a private jet.

That’s bare minimum ! Don’t forget some really nice return gifts.

ElfDragon · 18/02/2022 21:49

What age?

My dc are at private school, and I’ve done a range of parties - from whole year parties in reception/year1, which tended to be done in groups of children with a birthday around the same time - so eg 4 or 5 children have no a party for the whole year of 60 children. School hall hired, party entertainer plus use of playground, all sorted - to a theatre trip to London for my teen for her and 5 friends - lunch and a show afterwards.

The whole class parties for younger children have been anything from laser tag to Lego to go karts, both at home or in hired hall. It really does depend.

DoNotGetADog · 18/02/2022 21:50

What age is your child?

Couchpotato3 · 18/02/2022 21:50

Honestly, just do whatever your child likes. There is no standard party format and anyone decent will just go with the flow of whatever you have laid on. Do you really care what anyone else thinks?

Mrsfenchurch · 18/02/2022 21:50

Eh? What age?

Bwix · 18/02/2022 21:50

They’re a bit like state school parties with nicer uniform, more heirarchy, some silly names for things and fewer children with SN.

Wintersbone · 18/02/2022 21:51

Which year? Pre-prep it was mostly rent a hall provide food/drinks for adults and children plus an entertainer. Once in prep the parties got smaller and tended to focus on an activity like a laser tag, swimming pool with inflatables etc.

Original poster
7plusMum34 · 18/02/2022 21:51

@PugInTheHouse such as? There’s never been a party in her current state school. Can you give me examples of a couple if parties you’ve been too?

@User112 wow you are so not witty and funny. Not helpful at all. Why waste your time and my time writing that?

OP posts:
Chatty987 · 18/02/2022 21:51

Honestly just do whatever you think right. Kids are kids no matter what school they go to and all love fun, cakes, party bags and sweets. My kids are at private and there’s genuinely no difference! And if anyone judges then shame on them!

RomainingCalm · 18/02/2022 21:51

What age is she?

CasperGutman · 18/02/2022 21:52

Depends on the private school (is this Eton or Manchester Grammar?). In general though, my experience is that normal middle class party options are all fine.

Original poster
7plusMum34 · 18/02/2022 21:53

@ElfDragon and @Wintersbone thank you. There’s a few halls near me like church halls you can hire fairly cheaply. Do you think this would be okay?

OP posts:
DoNotGetADog · 18/02/2022 21:53

Manchester Grammar is hardly the opposite of Eton…

Original poster
7plusMum34 · 18/02/2022 21:54

Ages of kids will be 7-8

OP posts:
DoNotGetADog · 18/02/2022 21:54

Why not answer everyone’s very pertinent question, OP - how old is she?

User1234567891011121314 · 18/02/2022 21:54

Why would it matter if you are in state or private what kind of party you hold? I've been to both and it's the same thing!!!!

DoNotGetADog · 18/02/2022 21:54

I knew that would happen!!

PugInTheHouse · 18/02/2022 21:57

@7plusMum34 ah sorry OP, I misunderstood, I thought you were asking about the difference. What age? Mine went to play area parties, trampoline centres, lazer quest. They didn't vary between private school or state school kids. Also a few parties at houses when they were infant school age.

Seniors has mostly been close friends for bowling/cinema/dinner/sleepover. A few house parties.

PugInTheHouse · 18/02/2022 21:58

Also a few church hall/community hall type parties with magicians or discos.

Clovacloud · 18/02/2022 21:59

We’ve been to bowling parties, tea and cake round someone’s house, village hall parties with a magician, sleepovers, cinema parties, depends on their age really.

OhWhyNot · 18/02/2022 21:59

Same as friends at state schools

Maybe more healthy snacks about that the children were not interested in

Original poster
7plusMum34 · 18/02/2022 22:00

@PugInTheHouse the kids will be 7/8. I have no idea what party to have! Feel gutted as I always wanted a princess themed birthday but in her 1st we just had family then we thought when she starts school in reception (so 4) but nothing happened. I feel anxious as I’ve never hosted one! I would feel exactly the same if it was state school.

OP posts:
BloomingTrees · 18/02/2022 22:00

You can't go wrong with pass the parcel, musical chairs, balloons, chocolate cake with candles and party bags at the end.

Anyone who judges you for your child's party is not worth knowing.

Chatty987 · 18/02/2022 22:00

@DoNotGetADog exactly re Manchester Grammar v Eton! Ridiculous comment!

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